Pickled Beets

My husband and I love pickled beets. Living in Alaska for so long meant buying them in a can at the grocery story. They really don't taste like the home canned ones. Last week my Mom and I purchased 50 pounds of beets for $20. What a deal. Earlier this week we canned 57 pints of beets. She had a great recipe that doesn't require a water bath so that saved time. It was quite a process but we had a system down and they're beautiful besides tasting good.

My husband Ron and I spent a wonderful weekend in Central Oregon near Bend celebrating our 41st anniversary. It was a fun get away. During out stay, besides our great anniversary dinner, we had breakfast with some Ketchikan friends, Diane and Allyn Haynes who live in Sunriver. We also had lunch with Ron's aunt and uncle Bob and Norma Harper. It was a fun time being just us and also visiting friends and family.

This weekend is a camping trip with our son Ian, Bethany and 9 month old grandson Oren. We haven't camped in a long time and we will be on the ground in a tent. Hopefully our "older" bodies can take it. The weather forcast is calling for a little rain but it will be a fun adventure.

Today is a sewing day! I have so many projects, it's hard to decide where to start, but it's time to get busy. Happy Quilting!

Blocking a Quilt

When I talked about doing a blog it was recommended to me to write about twice a week. Obviously I have been remiss about doing just that. I can't believe where the time goes. Writing the blog definitely needs to be on a regular to-do list.

The last few weeks have been full of scheduling classes and getting the class requirements and samples to the shops, some driven and some in the mail to Washington and California.

Before I could mail a Rising Sun quilt it desperately needed blocked. It was quite lumpy. I followed directions by the famous machine quilter, Diane Gaudynski. I let the quilt soak in the washing machine in cold water, spun it dry on the delicate cycle; Filled the washer full with luke warm water and a little dissolved quilt soap. It ran through a whole delicate cycle. I carefully lifted it out of the washing machine, supporting the weight so it wouldn't put stress on the wet quilt, then spread it out flat in a prepared area. I'd put a bed sheet and plastic garbage bags down on a carpeted floor out of the way of people and pets. I shaped it using a large square ruler for the corners, made sure any borders were straight and patted it down anywhere it wasn't flat. I closed the door and let it dry. It came out amazingly flat and ready for a wall or show. The two quilts I've done have come out perfect without that "washed" look. I think by drying them flat instead of in the dryer helps to keep them looking new.

Pictured is a miniature pinapple quilt that I machine quilted and blocked. The blocking set the quilting and made it lie perfectly flat.

Today is a busy day of household chores and not much quilting. Boohoo!

Have a great day. Happy Quilting!